A group of 18 Year 9 and 10 students from Grant High School recently participated in a hands-on Tool Skills Day at the Jubilee Sawmill, organized by OneFortyOne in collaboration with Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT). This initiative aims to inspire young women to consider careers in timber and various trades, fostering confidence and providing practical experience.
The event, facilitated through the PINE Community Grants Program, offered students a unique opportunity to engage with professionals in the industry and learn about potential career pathways. Kyle Summers, the Maintenance Manager at OneFortyOne, emphasized the importance of introducing students to these career options early. He stated, “This year, we worked closely with EWIT and Grant High School to tailor the event specifically for Year 9 and 10 students, recognising the value of introducing career pathways early on.”
Empowerment and Engagement
The day commenced with an empowerment session led by EWIT, focusing on building self-confidence and self-awareness among the participants. Students then heard from OneFortyOne foresters Robyn Patient and Chloe Mackenzie, who provided insights into their work and experiences in the timber industry.
Following the presentations, the students rotated through various mechanical and electrical activities, guided by Jubilee’s maintenance team. They used tools to create and test their projects, acquiring practical skills in a supportive environment. A behind-the-scenes tour of the sawmill gave the group an in-depth look at timber processing and the technology involved.
The day concluded with a career pathways discussion led by Julie Tipene from SYC, which further ignited the students’ interest in pursuing trades.
Student Reflections and Future Aspirations
Students Chelsea and Aynslee shared their thoughts on the experience. Chelsea remarked, “I enjoyed talking to the employees about how they got into their careers, their pathways and what they do and do not like about their jobs.” She found the tour particularly enlightening, noting, “The tour was also really interesting because we got to see how the wood was processed and see how the activities we did would relate to real jobs in the mill.”
Aynslee appreciated the mechanical activity, stating, “I liked the mechanical activity, and when the people talked through what each part was used for. Once you put it together, you could see that in action.” She noted the relevance of technology in the industry, highlighting that the process is not solely dependent on physical strength: “There are opportunities for all kinds of people.”
Both students expressed a keen interest in pursuing careers in trades, with Chelsea considering options in cabinetry and architecture, while Aynslee plans to gain experience as a diesel mechanic before joining her family’s business. Chelsea suggested that events like this should occur more frequently, stating, “It was really cool to see how it all works, and I think there’d be lots of interest for girls to explore different trades and pathways, even if they do not know what they want to do.”
As a direct outcome of this initiative, OneFortyOne has opened its apprenticeship program for electricians and mechanical fitters, with applications closing on March 15, 2024. The program aims to continue fostering interest in trades and create pathways for young women in the industry.
